The "not so engagement shoot" shoot

This is the shoot that was discussed in my earlier thread.
Just TLDR version : I was hired to do an engagement session, session transitioned from 2 to 13 people within a few days prior to the actual shoot. When I arrived on scene, I found this to be a wedding portrait shoot rather than an engagement/family sessions.

Both families are Russian. If you've not worked with people of that descent, let me tell you something about us. we may seem like we hate you, and ready to kill you. This isn't the case. We smile seldom, and when we do, we smile with a real smile and for those who are our friends or relatives. You will rarely see us smile at a stranger.
Naturally, there are exceptions (myself and my mum are exactly that) for which we have always been deemed "weird" until we moved to US. :rofl
Now, that you have the understanding, here it goes..

Hold it, Foques - I saw a couple of smiles in that set. You better do another round of deletions.

My favorite of this set is #13. The bokeh on the fountain is terrific.

The word Love in #15 and #19 - is that actually there, or did you Photoshop it in later? Very nice, very unique prop. I also love the ampersand in #9, but the frame is so blown out by the sun glare I completely missed it the first time around. That pose would have made an awesome silhouette shot against the setting sun, I think.

Divamum - I'm not entirely sure, but I'm sensing from your comments - you know, reading between the lines and such - that you may actually like this set. A little. Maybe.

What I said when I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: "The wide ain't wide enough and the zoom don't zoom enough!"

I am certainly no expert on wedding shots, but these are really great! I think I agree with you on #16. Could #17 be cropped in from the top so you don't see the dress tumbling down - it's only seen in the reflection? #8 is another favorite of mine, but it would be better, IMO, if you cloned out the top of the spire that's peeking above the staircase. I also really like #18 - with the cobwebs and the light, the atmosphere of that one is fantastic.

And yeah, I think these are just stunning. You managed to pull gorgeous, editorial-style wedding shots out of what could have been a really awkward situation, and they are BEAUTIFUL.

It is a Saint Mary's seminary. I used to live not even 5 minutes from there. Now, they have become an even more narrow minded, greedy establishment than they used to, unfortunately.
We were taking chances of getting kicked out of there at any moment. One of their people suggested that I file for a permit (to the tune of a "sizable donation" ) in order for them to decide if they will allow us to shoot there.

I am certainly no expert on wedding shots, but these are really great! I think I agree with you on #16. Could #17 be cropped in from the top so you don't see the dress tumbling down - it's only seen in the reflection? #8 is another favorite of mine, but it would be better, IMO, if you cloned out the top of the spire that's peeking above the staircase. I also really like #18 - with the cobwebs and the light, the atmosphere of that one is fantastic.

I think you pulled it off very, very nicely, and the clients will be thrilled! This just goes to show what you can do when you keep your cool, talk it through with the clients, and plan everything out. Great job!

I think you pulled it off very, very nicely, and the clients will be thrilled! This just goes to show what you can do when you keep your cool, talk it through with the clients, and plan everything out. Great job!

=Matt=

Agreed.

But you still charged 'em more, right Foques?

What I said when I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: "The wide ain't wide enough and the zoom don't zoom enough!"

I am certainly no expert on wedding shots, but these are really great! I think I agree with you on #16. Could #17 be cropped in from the top so you don't see the dress tumbling down - it's only seen in the reflection? #8 is another favorite of mine, but it would be better, IMO, if you cloned out the top of the spire that's peeking above the staircase. I also really like #18 - with the cobwebs and the light, the atmosphere of that one is fantastic.